Late Score Foils Crusaders Upset Bid

The opening season game between Bishop Sullivan and American Heritage at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex had all the makings of a heavyweight matchup with more than a dozen FBS recruits.

Bishop Sullivan was the better team for most of the 48 minutes, but a touchdown in the final few minutes gave the visiting Patriots a 14-7 win.

American Heritage scored their only touchdown on a 10-yard touchdown run from Vanderbilt pledge Miles Jones with 90 seconds to go in regulation.

University of Maryland commit Tyler DeSue led the Crusaders down the field in the final minute but the drive fizzled out at the 22-yard line.

*** Re-Visit LIVE Game Blog Here ***

Bishop Sullivan came up with three interceptions in the second quarter but they were only able to turn one into a score.

Ohio State commit Teradja Mitchell tipped a pass that was caught for an interception by Nehki Meredith who returned it 42-yards to the 28-yard line. DeSue then scrambled for 17-yards and junior Jake Low carried in the final 10-yards for a touchdown to give Bishop Sullivan a 7-3 lead with five minutes to go before halftime.

Class of 2019 DB Tayvion 'Tank' Land was a force during the period with three tackles for loss, a couple of the bone-jarring variety, an interception and a pass breakup.

Neither team scored in the 3rd quarter but Bishop Sullivan gain came up big on the defensive end when Temple commit Dante Burke strip/sacked quarterback and the Crusaders recovered at the 21 yard line. Bishop Sullivan faced a 4th-and-1 from the American Heritage 12 yard line but University of Miami commit Nesta Silvera busted up the running play and forced a turnover on downs.

Silvera was particularly strong down the stretch as finished with 11 total tackles. Both he and Andrew Chatfield, who recorded three sacks in the first half, spearheaded the defensive line effort by American Heritage.

After a Patriots field goal cut the lead to 7-6, the Crusaders faced two 4th downs inside their own territory. They were successful on the first to keep the drive alive but DeSue was stopped for a 3-yard loss turning the ball over to American Heritage.

The Crusaders defense came up with their fifth turnover of the game when they recovered a fumble at the 1-yard line with 5:12 to go in the game. However, they couldn't get a 1st down and they were forced to punt setting up the game winning touchdown.

Be sure to to visit GregBishopPhoto.com for more football photo galleries from around Virginia.

American Heritage Head Coach Patrick Surtain:

American Heritage RB/ATH Miles Jones:

Bishop Sullivan Head Coach Chris Scott:

Final Stats:

American Heritage (FL) 14:
Cameron Smith - 13-24 for 120Yds. 0-3TD/Int. ratio
Miles Jones - 7Rec. 86Yds; 3Car. 4Yds. TD
Josh Alexander - 3Car. 22Yds; 3Rec. 16Yds.
Jordan Johnson - 9Car. 29Yds.
Calvin Hart - 11 Tackles (7 Solo), 1.5TFL, Sack
Nesta Silvera - 11 Tackles (6 Solo), 2TFL
Joel Wilson - 11 Tackles (5 Solo), 1.5TFL
Andrew Chatfield - 9 Tackles, 3.5TFL, 3 Sacks

Patriots - 47 plays for 240 yards; 5 turnovers; 2 penalties for 15 yards

Bishop Sullivan (VA) 7:
Tyler DeSue - 14-26 for 177Yds; 12Car. 42Yds.
Jake Low - 14Car. 70Yds; 4Rec. 47Yds.
Tank Land - 3Rec. 33Yds; 3TFL, INT, PBU
Quinton Gregory - 2Rec. 32Yds.
Teradja Mitchell - 6 Tackles (5 Solo), TFL, QBH
Sheridan Jones - 4 Tackles, INT, PBU Bennie Merritt - 2 Fumble Recoveries

Crusaders - 68 plays for 318 yards; 0 turnovers; 10 penalties for 93 yards; 1-5 on 4th down; 22 yards per punt